Rapidly-expanding Merseyside haulier SSO Logistics is the latest new shareholder member to join the growing Pallet-Track network, a move which is directly helping to create 12 new jobs.
And, apart from boosting revenues, the St Helens-based business will also be able to cut its carbon footprint through vehicle load optimisation and its close proximity to Pallet-Track’s northern hub – located just five miles away – as it takes over palletised deliveries in part of the network’s WA postcode area.
The family-owned business, which only started trading in 2013 and now provides a full range of national and international logistics services, is creating 20 new jobs, 12 of which are directly linked to becoming a member of the Wolverhampton-based Pallet-Track network.
FORS and AA BRC accredited in recognition of the highest-quality storage and distribution credentials in the food sector, SSO Logistics, which joined the Pallet-track network on June 7th, has employed new administration and warehouse personnel at its Merseyside head office, as well as drivers to execute the Pallet-Track requirements.
Commenting on becoming a Pallet-Track shareholder member, Peter Draper, one of SSO’s three directors, said the move was strategic and part of the company’s growth trajectory.
“Being so close to the northern hub and being able to reduce our carbon footprint was one of the main drivers for becoming a Pallet-Track shareholder member,” he said.
“Apart from the new jobs it has helped create, it is also boosting our revenue by £1 million.”
Pallet-Track CEO Caroline Green said: “We continue to invest in our own delivery infrastructure and bringing in new ‘can-do’ shareholder members is part of that strategy.
“SSO has a lot of energy and ambition and an admirable track record of local, national and international delivery, credentials that are all-important at a time when volumes and demand for our services have never been higher. This increased demand is tempered with greater environmental expectation from the buying public.
“On this front, pallet networks have a great story to tell as they are a really green and cost-effective solution, helping businesses like SSO reduce their carbon footprint as well as realise their financial potential by helping to boost revenues – so that when they grow, we all grow together.”
SSO’s credentials include a ‘global reach, local touch’ strategy to underline its bandwidth of diverse services.
During the pandemic, SSO, which launched its freight forwarding division in February to provide a more international profile, introduced a local ‘buddy up’ scheme to help a struggling gym which had been forced to close its doors.
The business provided and delivered spin bike equipment and thousands of pounds worth of nutritional drinks to help the Hamma Academy of Mixed Martial Arts fight back to commercial fitness, completely free of charge.
“We stayed open throughout the pandemic as we were classed as key workers distributing food to supermarkets and other retailers. It was tough but being busy kept us focussed on those who were forced to close,” added Peter.
“After chatting with the gym owner Caroline Martin, who also runs a cleaning business that we use, she told me that she needed some more equipment, which we were able to donate along with several cases of hand gel which was needed to keep the gym COVID-safe when they were able to re-open.
“We also asked our customer Applied Nutrition Ltd if they could help and we were overwhelmed at the generous offer to donate £3,000 worth of protein for the gym’s new venture of a protein bar to make customer protein shakes.”
